Alderman opposes permit for fast-food drive-through

October 30, 2001

WICKER PARK — Ald. Jesse Granato (1st) on Monday said he would not support a special permit for a drive-through window at a proposed McDonald's restaurant on North Avenue just west of the Kennedy Expressway, casting doubt on whether the company would proceed with its plans.

McDonald's has the green light from the city to build on the site but still needs a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals for a drive-through window.

Granato said he would recommend to the board that it reject the permit appeal after a raucous meeting last week where more than 200 people aired their views.

"I did not find overwhelming support in close proximity to the proposed site," said Granato. At the meeting, opponents of the restaurant said it would add to the traffic woes on North Avenue, decrease the property values of the gentrifying neighborhood in east Wicker Park, and attract more vagrants and crime to the block.

McDonald's spokeswoman Lisa Howard said she wasn't sure how the company would proceed, but she said few McDonald's are built in residential areas without drive-throughs.